Ross-on-Wye Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ross-on-Wye’s crime rate in May 2024 stood at 8.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 4.8% above the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure, while modest compared to larger urban centres, reflects a specific profile shaped by the area’s built-up character within Herefordshire. The breakdown of crimes reveals a distinct pattern, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 40.2% of total incidents, followed closely by anti-social behaviour (15.5%) and other theft (15.5%). This distribution suggests a focus on interpersonal and public order issues, which may be influenced by the town’s seasonal dynamics. May, with its extended daylight hours and bank holidays, likely contributed to increased outdoor socialising, a factor that could explain the rise in anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The data also highlights a disparity between property and violent crime, with property-related incidents (36 total) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (39 total), though the latter’s rate is higher than the UK average. Seasonal factors, such as the transition into warmer weather and the associated changes in community activity, may have played a role in shaping these trends. The absence of significant spikes in burglary or vehicle crime, both of which fell by 60% and 25% respectively, contrasts with the sharp increases in other categories, suggesting a combination of local conditions and broader regional patterns.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in May 2024 was the 150% surge in anti-social behaviour, rising from six to fifteen incidents. This spike, combined with a 100% increase in criminal damage and arson, highlights a shift in the crime mix, with property-related and public order offences dominating over violent crime. While violent crime accounted for 40.2% of total incidents, its rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents was 27% above the UK average, indicating a localised concern. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 25%, and burglary dropped by 60%, both significantly below UK averages. The 141% increase in 'other theft'—a category not explicitly defined in the data—suggests unexplained activity that may warrant further analysis. These fluctuations, particularly the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour, could be linked to May’s longer evenings and bank holidays, which may have increased opportunities for disorderly conduct in public spaces.

Ross-on-Wye’s crime rate in May 2024 rose by 31.1% compared to April, reflecting a notable upward trend. At 8.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, this exceeds the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000 by 4.8%, a margin that underscores the area’s distinct profile. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of three crimes reported each day, a figure that, while modest, highlights the persistent nature of local incidents. Over the course of May, one crime occurred for every 113 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the impact of crime on the community. This ratio is particularly relevant for residents, as it illustrates the frequency of incidents in relation to the population. While the UK does not provide a comparable daily or monthly exposure figure, the local data offers a clear snapshot of how crime is distributed among Ross-on-Wye’s 10,996 residents. The increase in violent crime and property-related offences, coupled with the decrease in vehicle crime, suggests a shift in criminal activity patterns that may be influenced by seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising.